Orealla-Siparuta: “A lot has been happening… even more to come” – Toshao

Nestled along the Corentyne River, the twin Indigenous communities of Orealla and Siparuta are undergoing a transformative period of development, with multiple infrastructure projects currently underway at both the Government and village levels.

In an exclusive interview, the Toshao of Orealla and Siparuta, Laurence Vandenburg detailed a wave of ongoing and upcoming projects that promise to significantly improve the quality of life for residents. Vandenburg highlighted the construction of a brand-new secondary school as the flagship Government initiative in the area. Originally slated for completion in May, with a revised deadline of August, the project has unfortunately seen delays.
“It is back to tethering again,” he admitted. “But once completed, this school will be a major boost for both communities.” Currently, secondary-aged students from Orealla and Siparuta must travel out to the coast to pursue their education, a challenge that places financial and emotional strain on families. The new school will allow students to study while remaining at home, easing that burden and fostering local academic growth.
Progress has also been made on public safety infrastructure, with a new police station nearing completion – 90 per cent finished, according to Vandenburg.
Adjacent to the station is a newly constructed wharf, strategically positioned to facilitate border patrols and riverine security. In Siparuta, a separate wharf has also been built to support the health centre, along with a new access road connecting the facility more efficiently to the community. On the village level, the Toshao reported an equally active slate of projects. In Siparuta, a new building and extension at the primary school is being constructed to accommodate rising student numbers, alongside a modern kitchen to support daily meal preparation. “We’ve also got a brand-new bakery shop that’s coming into operation, and very soon, construction will begin on a new stelling, which will replace the current dilapidated one,” he said. Unlike the wooden pile structures of the past, the new stelling will be made of concrete and steel, offering durability and modern functionality. A standout development is the construction of a large community-owned cargo boat, sized 60 by 40 feet, which will significantly improve transport and logistics in the area. “We usually ship out lumber and agricultural produce on Mondays and Fridays using privately-owned boats, many of which are deteriorating,” Vandenburg said, explaining that the new vessel will relieve the community of that pressure.
Designed primarily for cargo movement, including lumber and produce, the vessel will also improve accessibility for residents and reduce reliance on limited private services.
Another point of pride for the Toshao is the brand-new village office in Orealla, which he described as possibly the best… “If not the best, Indigenous village office in the country. It is big, it is fully modern, and it has everything you’d expect in a proper administrative facility,” he said, noting that the office will be commissioned at the end of this month, along with a newly completed village bond. Meanwhile, the communities are also preparing for new projects under the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), including the construction of a marketplace, a restaurant, and additional community infrastructure aimed at boosting economic resilience and environmental sustainability.
From education and security to infrastructure and commerce, Orealla and Siparuta are embracing a period of rapid progress. While some delays remain – particularly with the secondary school – the overall momentum of development is evident.
“A lot has been happening in both of the communities, and there’s even more to come,” Toshao Vandenburg said. As these two vibrant Indigenous communities continue to modernise while preserving their heritage, the rest of the country is beginning to take notice of the strides being made deep in Guyana’s north-east.